Get to know more about Shannon Malmberg

Shannon Malmberg has been working with dogs for more than 30 years and is one of the most experienced professional dog trainers in the Vancouver area.

As an avid runner, Shannon began her dog training journey in 1988 by volunteering with Project Safe Run, a personal protection-dog organization for women athletes, while she completed degrees in journalism and political science at the University of Oregon.

Upon graduation Shannon moved to Vancouver and worked as a civilian decoy with the Vancouver Police Dog Squad from 1991 until 2003: a “hired bad-guy” to assist in the training of young patrol dogs in tracking and criminal apprehension. Hiding in dumpsters, running down dark alleyways, and getting bitten by German Shepherds gave her an insight into working with high drive dogs and dog aggression.
It was here Shannon truly got the dog training bug.

She founded her company Zen Dog Canine Training Ltd. in 2002, teaching dogs and their people across Vancouver and the lower mainland. To date she has worked with close to 10,000 clients on a broad range of issues from puppy raising to behavioural cases, and all things in between.

As a professional dog coach, Shannon is enthusiastic and creative, committed to teaching in a way that is positive for both humans and dogs. She has a gift for bringing dogs and their people closer together while meeting the needs of each client she works with. Shannon stays current with science-based methods and is a lifelong student in all things dog.

My Great Dog Story

Shannon's vocation and avocation align. In her spare time she trains for and competes in dog sports with her personal dogs. She has obtained close to 30 competition titles on three of her dogs, with national and regional placements in agility, numerous high-in-trials in competitive obedience as well as a national ranking, two competitive sport championships, tracking and rally-o titles and, for fun, has dabbled in sheep herding and nosework. It is this passion for competitive sport that has pushed Shannon to evolve as a better trainer for her clients' dogs as well as her own dogs.

She tirelessly attends multiple seminars and on-line coursework a year, getting the opportunity to work with some of the world's leading dog trainers in developing her own craft. Shannon is driven by her passion to learn more and do better by the dogs she lives and works with. She also has a keen interest in building relationships through toy/tug play, and understanding canine nutrition, fitness and body conditioning, rounding out her understanding of dogs' needs.

 Shannon is recommended by breeders, veterinarians, rescue organizations and related industry peers for the work she does. She currently shares her life with two amazing border collies and can be found in the agility ring or out in nature.
Our Zen Dogs

About the company

Zen Dog Canine Training Ltd was founded in 2002 and has been a constant mainstay in the Vancouver dog training community for more than two decades. Zen Dog goes beyond the standard "sit-down-stay-come" approach seen in traditional obedience classes, and recognizes the different needs dogs have. This is reflected in the broad range of services offered to clients and the approach taken with each individual team.

 The company targets specific classes and personal coaching for rescue dogs, as well as reactive dogs, puppies, adolescent and adult dogs, honouring their unique stages and transitions in life. Zen Dog is committed to positive reinforcement-based strategies when working with clients and their dogs and seeks to engage the learner with effective game-based methods so that learning is fun for all.
Our Zen Dogs

What do Dog Owners think?

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Shannon is AMAZING - friendly, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, thorough, flexible, and responsive - everything I could want in a trainer for my sweet little potato! Reggie responds to her immediately!I could not recommend Shannon and Zen Dog Training with any more fervour than I already do! Thanks Shannon - already looking forward to Puppy Grade One!

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I met Shannon when I was in desperate need of a trainer to help my reactive GSD get over himself. Shannon helped him and, more importantly, helped me to deal with him. She has taught me so much about the many roads you can take to develop a mutually fabulous relationship with your dog. I can't say enough good things about her and Zen Dog.

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I had the good fortune of attending Shannon's classes and also had multiple private sessions. Shannon is extremely knowledgable and passionate about dogs/dog training. She is first class!

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Shannon was an amazing trainer for me and my rescue pup Rosie, my pup and I were both anxious and Rosie was very reactive with other dogs. Shannon taught me how to deal with stressful situations and create a positive environment for Rosie to be more comfortable / relaxed on our walks when encountering other dogs. She has a wealth of knowledge and is great at passing it on during sessions as well as following up by sending really helpful training exercises to work on at home. I recommend Shannon for anyone looking for help creating a more harmonious relationship with their dog.

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Shannon is a master. Her alternative methods make her training very special and unique. She empowers the dog and the owner to have a healthy relationship based on respect for one another, and choices, versus fear-based training. I highly recommend Shannon if you are getting a new puppy or trying to integrate a second dog into your home. The education she provides will last a lifetime.

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We had a great experience training our nearly 1.5 year old golden retriever with Shannon. She was super informative and we saw immediate progress using the tips she shared, right from our very first session.

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I have a working line German Shepherd puppy. I know it will be lots of work but I love this breed. I took this challenge and decided to set him up for success. Zen Dog Canine Training is the only one I will go to. Shannon has extensive knowledges and experiences in dog training. Her efforts and dedications helping us with my pass dog and the puppy I have now is way beyond just providing a standard dog training service. Shannon is a good listener, she effectively communicates with us, really really understand the perspective on our situation fully. Shannon’s Puppy Kindergarten Class was one of the best experiences ever. My puppy loved the class and I left with ton of helpful information and education that improved my skills. I would definitely sign up for another classes in the future. I highly recommend Zen Dog Canine Training.

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I have never ever found another trainer to be of the caliber of Zen Dog. It changed my life and my dog Evies life forever. We have done group classes, private, dropin weekend group classes and packwalks and we love them all. I have had the fortunate opportunity to work with both Shannon and Jen, they are both such incredible women. They are the most experienced, dog savvy, enthusiastic, patient and caring trainers ever. They truly excel in their knowledge of dog behavior, communication and training, as well as nutrition, treats, gear, the list is endless! They are magnificent teachers both for people and the dogs. I was recommended to call zen dog from various dog owners around the city who raved about their skills and knowledge and experience. I have a challenging female dog that has reactivity and resource guarding issues, I'm not sure where either of us would be today without the help of ZenDog. They have helped me so much and with all they have taught me I continue to learn and grow and challenge myself to become the eperienced dog handler Evie needs and deserves. I have moved from Vancouver for now and one of the things I miss the most is to not be able to continue to work with Zendog. They have so many interesting, stimulating and challenging classes there is something for everyone!!!! I would be happy to ever talk in person or email for a personal referall. Zendog is the best!!!!!

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We're so happy to have found Zen Dog Training. After getting a high energy puppy that was jumping, biting, and tearing all our clothes we were feeling a little hopeless. We attended the puppy kindergarten classes and felt totally reassured that we had a great puppy after all. This class goes beyond 'sit' and 'down'. We learned impulse control which brought a huge change in our puppy, eye contact, and how to use a chill mat. Shannon is great as she teaches you what you need to know now and preventative things you'll need in the future. As well, she always had time for our many questions. Also, the leash, clicker, treat bag, ad treats you get with the class may seem like a gimmick but I love that leash, and bag, and Ruby loved the treats!

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Shannon is the best trainer there is! Just finished the second series of classes and it’s truly amazing! Also have done some private training sessions at home with her as well. She uses positive reinforcement snd it’s so astounding what you can get your puppy to do with her showing you what to do! What a difference an amazing trainer makes!!!

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Zen Dog Canine Training is one of the best I experienced with my reactive dog. Shannon is a great trainer, knowledgeable, patient, and very supportive. Her classes are always fun for dogs and their people. I learned a lot from the training sessions as well as from the private classes. . I can always count on the constructive feedback from Shannon, and support in sometimes hard reality owning a reactive dog. I am very happy that I found the Zen Dog Canine Training and will continue to work with Shannon.

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Shannon and the team are fantastic! Highly recommend for every dog owner.